Instantaneous cigarette extinguisher



Feb. 10, 1942 v. T. MILWARD I 2,272,347

INSTANTANEOUS C IGARETTE EXTINGUISHER Filed Oct. 28, 1938 ATTORN EYS Patented Feb. 10, 1942 UNlTED sm'rss 'ENT QFFICE INSTANTANEOUS CIGARETTE EXT-INGUISHER 1. Claim.

The present invention relates to extinguishers for cigarettes and the like, and has for the primary object the provision of means that may be incorporated into an ash receptacle or detachable therefrom, whereby lighted cigarettes and the like can be extinguished by cutting through the smoldering end thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide an extinguisher for cigarettes and the like including a hollow tube-like member of metal or other suitable material which has mounted therein or forming a part thereof a vertically dis posed blade against which the smoldering end of a cigarette or the like is pressed for extinguishing the same.

The invention will be fully and comprehensively understood from a consideration of the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing which forms a part of the application.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ash receptacle having incorporated therein an extinguisher devised according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is afragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a top elevational view of a modified form of an extinguishing tube;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of a further modified form of the device;

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line l| of Figure 6, and

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of one of the extinguisher tubes as used with a novelty.

It is a well known fact that a lighted cigarette, if placed in a horizontal or inclined position will be entirely consumed. It also produces a large volume of offensive smoke while remaining in this position and if special care is not taken to extinguish the cigarette a piece of furniture or the like is often burned in spots and occasionally fires are started.

The present invention is designed to overcome the above objections and, there is broadly provided a hollow tube-like member which may be incorporated into an ash receptacle or it may be readily detachable therefrom- A vertically disposed blade is positioned within the tube the tube, it encounters the blade and the smoldering end of the cigarette is cut. in half and will be discharged through the tube and into the container below.

Referring to the drawing for a more detailed description thereof, and particularly Figures 1, 2 and 3, there is disclosed an ash receptacle I0 which may be formed of any desired material and of any shape or size. The ash receptacle is disclosed for purposes of illustration only and it is to be understood that v.the extinguishing tube forming the essence of the. inventionmay be used with any desired type of ash receptacle. It is preferred, however, that said receptacle, in the process of manufacture, be formed with one or more chambers H, in which is molded or otherwise secured a hollow cylindrical tube I2. The upper end of the tube is formed with a flange [3 to guide the cigarette or the like to be extinguished therein. The cutting blade I 4 is disposed substantially centrally of the tube II and extends vertically therein and is preferably fixedly secured to the bottom wall l5 of the receptacle it! during the manufacture thereof. Referring to Figure 3 of the drawing, it will be noted that the bottom portion of the blade I4 has been formed with transversely extending ears l5 which extend beyond the side walls of the chamber ll thereby assuring permanent attachment of said blade M.

In use, the smoldering end of a cigarette or the like is inserted within the tube l2 and is guided by the flange l3, and upon contact with theblade M, the smoldering end will be cut in half and fall within the receptacle. Cutting through the smoldering end of the cigarette will immediately extinguish the same thereby preventing continuing offensive smoking of the cigarette and reducing to a minimum the hazard of fire. It is to be understood that one or more chambers may be formed in an ash receptacle to accommodate the hollow tube and cutting blade when required.

The modified form of the invention illustrated in Figure 4 and 5 embodies a hollow cylindrical tube having the cutting blade forming an integral part thereof. It will be noted that the upper end of the tube I1 is formed with a guiding flange l8 and during the manufacture thereof a side wall is out throughout a portion of its length as indicated at [9 to form the blade 20. It is preferred that the bottom portion of the blade be substantially coplanar with the bottom edge of the tube l1 whereby it can be readily and. when a cigarette or the like is pressed into inco p ated in a formed chamber of an ash receptacle in the manner previously described.

The further modified form of the invention illustrated in Figures 6 and '7 embodies the use of a strip of material 2| having semi-circular cars 22 extending therefrom and adapted to be engaged upon the rim of an ash receptacle. One or a plurality of hollow cylindrical tubes 23 are slotted throughout a portion of their length as indicated at 24 and positioned over the upper edge 25 of the member 2|. These tubes are also preferably formed with guide flanges 26 and the smoldering end of a cigarette upon contact with the edge 25 of the member 2| will be cut in half and thereby extinguished. It is also to be understood that one or more of the units including the member 2| and the tubes 23 may be detachably secured to an ash receptacle.

To render the device attractive as an ornament, the cutting blade 21, see Figure 8 of the drawing, may be stamped, out or molded during the manufacture thereof in the form of a figure or otherdesign and the hollow cylindrical tube 28 is slotted through the greater portion of its length and positioned thereover in substantially the same manner as illustrated and described in connection with Figures 6 and 7. This ornamental extinguisher will be formed with lips 28 for attachingthe device to the rim or edge of an ash receptacle.

In all of the forms herein above described, useis made of a hollow tube, which tube is preferably the same diameter on the inside as a cigarette but sufliciently large to permit the cigarette to slide easily therein. The vertically disposed blade will eifectively out the smoldering end of the cigarette thereby disintegrating it and causing it to be immediately extinguished. The tube being open at both ends according to certain forms of the invention will prevent the collection of ashes therein. In the other forms, however, the interior of the tube is readily accessible for cleaning.

Also it will be understood, of course, by those skilled in the art that variations in the hereinabove described device involving the substitution of substantial equivalents for the devices described are intended to be comprehended within the spirit of the present invention and that the invention is capable of extended application and is not confined to the exact showing of the drawing nor to the precise construction described and, therefore, such changes and modifications may be made therein as do not affect the spirit of the invention nor exceed the scope thereof as expressed in the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A cigarette extinguisher, comprising a hollow tube adapted for association with an ash receptacle, and a blade vertically disposed within said tube and having a horizontal transverse edge approximately midway between the upper and lower end of the tube.

VICTOR 'I. MILWARD. 

